LOCATOR® BAR ATTACHMENT SYSTEM - Proscan

TECHNIQUE
LOCATOR ® BAR ATTACHMENT SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: This document contains the most current instructions for use.
Please, read and retain.
CLASSIFICATION:
Universal hinge, resilient attachment for bar splinted endosseous implants.
PARTS IDENTIFICATION
Locator Bar Female Locator Bar Female Locator Laser Bar Locator Laser Bar
(2.0mm Thread) (2-56 Thread) Female (Titanium) Female (Stainless Steel)
No. 8589 No. 8587 No. 8588 No. 8590
Titanium alloy Titanium alloy Titanium alloy Stainless Steel
with TiN coating with TiN coating with TiN coating with TiN coating
Locator Cast-To Bar Block Out Spacer Yellow Bar Processing 5.0 lb. Replacement
Female No. 8586 No. 8514 Cap Male/Pkg. No. 8028 Male No. 8524
Stainless Steel Teflon (white) Nylon (clear)
(no TiN coating)
Titanium Cap with yellow
Low Density Polyethylene
Male, 2- Block Out Spacers,
and Nylon Replacement
Males (clear, pink, blue)
3.0 lb. Light 1.5 lb. Extra Impression Coping Female Analog
Retention Replacement Light Retention No. 8505 (4mm) No. 8530
Male No. 8527 Repl. Male No. 8529
Nylon (pink) Nylon (blue) Aluminum housing Aluminum
with black Low Density
Polyethylene Male
Page of 8

Parallel Post Yellow Bar Processing Locator Core Tool Locator Paralleling
No. 8517 Replacement Male No. 8393 Mandrel No. 9107
No. 8026
(Male Removal Tool,
Male Seating Tool, &
gold-plated Abutment Driver)
Low Density
Polyethylene (black)
Low Density
Polyethylene (yellow)
1.7mm Bar Drill 2.0mm Bar Tap 1.8mm Bar Drill 2-56 Bar Tap
(2.0mm Thread) (2.0mm Thread) (2-56 Thread) (2-56 Thread)
No. 9102 No. 9104 No. 9103 No. 9105
Drill & Tap Holder 2.0mm Castable 2-56 Castable
No. 8016 Threaded Insert Threaded Insert
No. 8014 No. 8013
INDICATIONS
The Locator Bar Attachment System is designed for use with overdentures or partial dentures retained in
whole or in part by bar splinted endosseous implants in the mandible or maxilla.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Not appropriate where a totally rigid connection is required.
CAUTION
Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a licensed dentist.
STERILIZATION
All components and instruments are supplied NON-STERILE. Tools and metal instruments may be
sterilized following standard clinical procedures, prior to use.
FEATURES
1. LOWEST VERTICAL HEIGHT: The total height of the Locator Bar Attachment (abutment plus
male) is only 2.5mm on a cast alloy bar.
2. LOCATING DESIGN: Self-locating design allows a patient to easily seat their overdenture without the
need for accurate alignment of the attachment components.
3. RETENTION INSIDE AND OUT: The patented Dual Retention innovation provides the Locator
Attachment with greater retention surface area than ever before available with other attachments. A
combination of inside and outside retention ensures the longest lasting performance.
4. ROTATIONAL PIVOTING ACTION: The design of the pivoting Locator Male allows a resilient
connection for the prosthesis without any resulting loss of retention. The retentive nylon male remains
Page of 8

completely in contact with the abutment socket while its metal denture cap has a full range of rotational
movement over the male.
5. CHOICE OF FOUR TECHNIQUES: The Locator Bar Attachment can be placed by any of the four
popular techniques used by Dental Laboratories to fabricate an implant retained bar with attachments:
1. Cast a Castable Threaded Insert into a bar for a removable threaded Locator Bar Female connection.
2. Drill and tap the bar for a threaded Locator Bar Female.
3. Laser weld a Locator Laser Bar Female to the bar.
4. Cast-to the stainless steel Locator Cast-To Bar Female with gold alloy.
A. PLACEMENT OF THE LOCATOR BAR ATTACHMENT
The Locator Bar Attachment can be placed by any choice of the four following techniques used by a Dental
Laboratory to fabricate a bar with dental attachments. CAUTION: The most critical consideration in the
proper placement of the Locator Bar Attachment on a milled or cast bar is that a minimum of 1.0mm
of bar material remains between the edge of a UCLA type screw retaining the bar and the Locator
Bar Female, or a minimum of 5.0mm between the edges of multiple placed Locator Bar Females
that is required to avoid interference of the Locator Titanium Denture Caps. (Locator Bar Female =
4.0mm Diameter, Locator Denture Cap = 5.5mm Diameter).
Technique to cast a Castable Threaded Insert into a bar for a removable threaded Locator Bar Female
1. A) Parts needed – New Case:
(8014) 2.0mm Castable Threaded Insert
(8589) Locator Bar Female (2.0mm Thread)
(9104) 2.0mm Bar Tap (2.0mm Thread)
(8016) Drill and Tap Holder
B) Parts needed – Replace TSB Ball Attachment:
(8013) 2-56 Castable Threaded Insert
(8587) Locator Bar Female (2-56 Thread)
(9105) 2-56 Bar Tap (2-56 Thread)
(8016) Drill and Tap Holder
2. The 2.0mm Castable Threaded Insert (Zest order #8014) and a 2.0mm Bar Tap (Zest order #9104) are
used for creating the threaded site in a cast alloy bar.
3. Survey and set a delrin Castable Threaded Insert into the wax pattern of the bar at each site where a
Locator Bar Attachment is needed. The top of the Threaded Insert should be flush with the top surface of
the surrounding bar pattern.
4. The delrin Castable Threaded Insert will become part of the cast alloy bar when the bar pattern is cast
using standard casting procedures.
5. Insert and tighten the 2.0mm Bar Tap into the Drill & Tap Holder (Zest order #8016) and position it into
the handpiece of a precision drilling device. Use the Bar Tap to chase and clean out the cast internal
threads of the attachment site.
6. A special Locator Gold-Plated Abutment Driver (contained in the Locator Core Tool, Zest order #8393)
is designed to engage the inside diameter of the threaded Locator Bar Female and thread it into the bar.
7. Final torque tightening of the Locator Bar Female to prevent screw loosening is achieved using the
20Ncm Torque Wrench (Zest order #4391 Kit). In addition, Locator Torque Wrench Drivers that fit
directly into the Locator Bar Female are available for most brands of torque wrenches.
Technique to drill and tap a bar for a removable threaded Locator Bar Female
1. A) Parts needed – New Case:
(8589) Locator Bar Female (2.0mm Thread)
(9102) 1.7mm Bar Drill (2.0mm Thread)
(9104) 2.0mm Bar Tap (2.0mm Thread)
Page of 8

(8016) Drill & Tap Holder
B) Parts needed – Replace TSB Ball Attachment:
(8587) Locator Bar Female (2-56 Thread)
(9103) 1.8mm Bar Drill (2-56 Thread)
(9105) 2-56 Bar Tap (2-56 Thread)
(8016) Drill & Tap Holder
2. The 1.7mm Bar Drill (Zest order #9102) and a 2.0mm Bar Tap (Zest order #9104) are used for creating
the threaded site in a titanium bar or cast alloy bar. First use a round carbide bur to create a dimple into
the top of the bar at the exact site of the planned preparation.
3. Insert and tighten the 1.7mm Bar Drill into the Drill & Tap Holder (Zest order #8016) and position
it into the handpiece of a precision drilling device. Use the 1.7mm Bar Drill to create the exact size
diameter hole to a depth of 2.8mm that is needed for tapping the site.
4. Place the 2.0mm Bar Tap into the Drill & Tap Holder and position it into the handpiece of a precision
drilling device to create internal threads within the drilled site. The use of tapping fluid while cutting
the threads is required to reduce the chance of breaking the tap off in the preparation.
5. A special Locator Gold-Plated Abutment Driver (contained in the Locator Core Tool, Zest order #8393)
is designed to engage the inside diameter of the threaded Locator Bar Female and thread it into the bar.
6. Final torque tightening of the Locator Bar Female to prevent screw loosening is achieved using the
20Ncm Torque Wrench (Zest order #4391 Kit). In addition, Locator Torque Wrench Drivers that fit
directly into the Locator Bar Female are available for most brands of torque wrenches.
Technique to laser weld a Locator Laser Bar Female on top of a bar
1. A) Parts needed – Laser welding to a titanium bar:
(8588) Locator Laser Bar Female (Titanium)
(9107) Locator Paralleling Mandrel
B) Parts needed – Laser welding to a cast gold alloy bar:
(8590) Locator Laser Bar Female (Stainless Steel)
(9107) Locator Paralleling Mandrel
2. Use the Locator Paralleling Mandrel (Zest order #9107) in a surveyor to place the Laser Bar Female
into position. Insert the split end of the Paralleling Mandrel into the socket of the Laser Bar Female and
tighten the knurled set screw to spread the split portion of the mandrel that will secure the Laser Bar
Female to the mandrel.
3. Tack the Laser Bar Female into place on top of the bar by placing a spot of laser weld on opposite sides
of the female.
4. Remove the Paralleling Mandrel by loosening the knurled set screw. Form a bead of weld around the
entire base circumference of the Laser Bar Female, welding the attachment to the top of the bar.
5. Snap a Locator Yellow Bar Processing Cap Male (Zest order #8028 package) onto the welded Laser Bar
Female to make sure the laser weld does not interfere with the seating of the Locator Denture Cap Male.
Technique for casting-to a Locator Cast-To Bar Female into a gold alloy bar
1. Parts needed – New Case:
(8586) Locator Cast-To Bar Female
(9107) Locator Paralleling Mandrel
2. Use the Locator Paralleling Mandrel (Zest order #9107) in a surveyor to place the Cast-To Bar Female
into the waxed bar in a position that is parallel with other Locator Bar attachments. Insert the split end
of the Paralleling Mandrel into the socket of the Cast-To Bar Female and tighten the knurled set screw to
spread the split portion of the mandrel that will secure the Cast-To Bar Female to the mandrel.
Note: For accurate positioning of the Cast-To Bar Female the Locator Paralleling Mandrel is preferred
to be used in place of the plastic Parallel Post that comes with the attachment, and is removed to use the
Paralleling Mandrel instead.
Page of 8

3. Wax the Cast-to Bar Female directly into the bar. The wax should be built up to the bottom outside
corner on the base of the female, leaving the majority of the outer surface on the base above the top level
of the bar.
4. Remove the Paralleling Mandrel by loosening the knurled set screw, leaving the stainless steel
attachment open for investment material to flow into.
5. Spruing. Run the sprue at a 45 degree angle to the Cast-To Bar Female so the molten gold will flow
down along one side of the female, around and up to the other side. The sprue should not be directed at
the female that could possibly dislodge it when casting.
6. It is recommended to use debubblizer to reduce surface tension during investing procedures.
7. Investing. The most successful castings have been accomplished by using Ceramigold Investment by
Whip Mix Corp. or an equivalent High Heat Investment. Use a casting ring at all times. (Do not use the
ringless technique of investing and casting for the Cast-To Bar Female.)
8. Mix a liquid/powder ratio of Ceramigold using 12ml to 60 grams of powder for each packet of mix
needed. Hand mix for 15 seconds and vacuum mix for 90 seconds at 350-450 RPM. The investment
material should be carefully painted into each attachment cavity to avoid trapping bubbles and to prevent
gold from going inside the female. The remainder of the investment poured into the ring will stabilize
the female during burnout. Place the ring in a water bath for one hour, then bench set for a half hour.
9. Burnout. Place ring in a cold furnace (sprue side down) and raise the temperature to 1500° F maximum.
Use a rate of climb of 0° F to 1500° F maximum over a time period of one hour. Hold at 1500° F
maximum until burnout is complete. (Refer to investment manufacturer’s instructions for suggested
burnout duration.)
10. Casting. Use only precious or semi-precious alloys for casting the stainless steel female into a bar.
Non-precious alloys should not be used. Cast the bar using recommended temperatures of the alloy
manufacturer. The stainless steel Cast-To Bar Female will withstand a temperature of up to 2000° F
without any dimensional change. Do not allow casting temperature to raise above 2000° F which will
melt the stainless steel Bar Female!
11. Divesting. After casting, allow the casting to bench cool for 20 minutes. Be careful to push out the
casting and investment with proper tools. It is not recommended to hammer or bang on rings that may
distort the castings. To remove the investment material from the Cast-To Bar Female without damage to
the stainless steel, use an acid-free investment and porcelain remover solution in an ultrasonic unit for a
period of 30-45 minutes. (Do not use a bur to remove the investment, sandblasting with aluminum
oxide, or an acid pickling solution, all of which can damage the retention surfaces of the Bar
Female attachment.) Clean the bar containing the Locator Cast-To attachment in an ultrasonic cleaner
solution.
12. Finishing and Polishing. When polishing with a rubber wheel, use caution not to damage the Cast-To
Bar Female attachment. Polish the surface of the bar to make a smooth surface. The Locator Parallel
Post (Zest order #8517) can be placed on the female to protect the attachment while polishing. [If
additional polishing of the female attachment is required, it is recommended to only use glass beads at a
low pressure (40 PSI) or a fiberglass or bristle polishing brush.]
13. After polishing the bar, place a Locator Yellow Bar Processing Cap Male (Zest order #8028 package)
onto each Cast-To Bar Female and check for proper fit. Clean again in an ultrasonic solution and deliver
to the dental office.
B. LOCATOR MALE PLACEMENT BY THE DENTIST
1. Placement of the desired type of Locator Bar Female into the bar (see Section A) and delivery of the bar
to the patient must be completed before beginning the procedure for placement of the Locator Male.
2. Place a White Block-Out Spacer (Zest order #8519 Package) over the head of each Locator Bar Female.
The spacer is used to block out the area immediately surrounding the attachment. The space created will
allow the full resilient function of the pivoting metal denture cap over the Locator Male.
Page of 8

NOTE: Due to the additional height required for the Laser Bar Females (Zest order #8588 and
#8590), they require the use of 2 White Block-Out Spacers stacked on top of each other for proper
block out. It is also necessary to block out all undercuts beneath the bar to prevent the added
acrylic resin from locking the denture onto the bar.
3. Insert a Locator Titanium Cap with Yellow Bar Processing Male (Zest order #8028 Package) onto each
Locator Bar Female, leaving the White Block-Out Spacer beneath it. The Yellow Bar Processing Male
will maintain the overdenture in the upper limit of its vertical resiliency during the processing procedure.
4. Prepare a recess in the denture to accommodate the protruding Locator Denture Cap Male. There must
be no contact between the denture and the titanium cap. If the denture rests on the metal cap, excess
pressure on the implant will result.
5. Use the Chairside Dental Attachment Light Cure Kit (Zest order #9403) to light cure bond the Locator
Yellow Bar Denture Cap Male into the denture, or mix a permanent self-curing acrylic and place a small
amount in the recess of the denture and around the metal cap of the Yellow Bar Processing Cap Male.
6. Insert the denture into position in the oral cavity. Guide the patient into occlusion, maintaining a
proper relationship with the opposing arch. Maintain the denture in a passive condition, without
compression of the soft tissue, while the acrylic sets. Excessive occlusal pressure during the setting
time may cause tissue recoil against the denture base and could contribute to dislodging and wear
of the nylon males.
7. After the acrylic resin has cured, remove the denture and discard the white spacer. Use a bur to remove
excess acrylic, and polish the denture base before changing to the final resilient nylon male.
8. Use the Locator Male Removal Tool (attached to the Locator Core Tool, Zest order #8393) to remove
the Yellow Bar Processing Male from the metal denture cap. The sharp circular edge on the end of the
removal tool should be wedged tightly down into the bottom of the Yellow Bar Processing Male so that
it will catch the inside of the yellow plastic insert and pull it at an angle out of the metal housing.
9. The Locator Male Seating Tool (contained in Locator Core Tool, Zest order #8393) is used to firmly
push a Locator Replacement Male into the metal denture cap. The replacement male must seat securely
into place, level with the rim of the cap. Use of multiple Locator attachments (3 or more) in the same
dental arch may require use of the 3.0 lbs. (light retention) pink colored Replacement Male No. 8527,
or 1.5 lbs. (extra light retention) blue colored Replacement Male No. 8529, for easier removal of the
prosthesis by the patient.
NOTE: The Replacement Male will not stay on the tool when it is turned upside down due to the
varying sizes of males available. It is best to hold the denture with the base side down and snap the
male into the metal denture cap.
10. Instruct the patient in the path of insertion. Have the patient insert and remove the appliance several
times.
C. LOCATOR MALE PLACEMENT BY THE LABORATORY
1. Placement of the desired type of Locator Bar Female into the bar must be completed (see Section A)
before beginning the procedure for placement of the Locator Male.
2. Place a Locator Impression Coping with Black Processing Male (Zest order #8505) onto each Locator
Bar Female.
3. Take an impression using a firm body impression material, exercising caution not to compress the
soft tissue. The Locator Impression Coping is designed with minimum retention to be picked up with
the impression material.
4. Snap a Locator Female Analog (Zest order #8530) onto each Impression Coping in the impression. The
analog female must not fall off when turned upside-down with vibration.
5. Pour the master cast. Upon separation, the Locator Female Analog is a part of the master cast replicating
the position of the Locator Bar Female on the bar.
Page of 8

6. Before waxing and processing the appliance, place a Locator Cap with Yellow Bar Processing Male
(Zest order #8028 package) onto each Female Analog in the master cast. Make sure the male is fully
seated.
7. Set the teeth and wax the appliance. Proceed with the processing technique of your choice through the
boil-out step.
8. After the boil-out, remove the Yellow Bar Processing Cap Male. Place a White Block-Out Spacer
(Zest order #8028 package) over the head of each Female Analog. The spacer is used to block out the
immediate area surrounding the Locator Bar Female. The space created will allow the full resilient
function of the pivoting metal denture cap over the Locator Male.
NOTE: Due to the additional height required for the Laser Bar Females (Zest order #8588 and
#8590), they require the use of 2 White Block-Out Spacers stacked on top of each other for proper
block out.
9. Re-insert the Locator Yellow Bar Processing Cap Male onto each Female Analog, leaving the White
Block-Out Spacer beneath it. The Yellow Bar Processing Male will maintain the overdenture in the
upper limit of its vertical resiliency during the processing procedure.
10. Complete the processing and discard the white spacer. Avoid damage to the final male by polishing the
denture base before changing to the final resilient nylon male.
11. Use the Locator Male Removal Tool (attached to the Locator Core Tool, Zest order #8393) to remove
the Yellow Bar Processing Male from the metal denture cap. The sharp circular edge on the end of the
removal tool should be wedged tightly down into the very bottom of the Yellow Bar Processing Male so
that it will catch the inside of the yellow plastic insert and pull it at an angle out of the metal housing.
12. The Locator Male Seating Tool (contained in Locator Core Tool, Zest order #8393) is used to firmly
push a Locator Replacement Male into the empty metal denture cap. The replacement male must seat
securely into place, level with the rim of the cap. Use of multiple Locator attachments (3 or more) in the
same dental arch may require use of the 3.0 lbs. (light retention) pink colored Replacement Male No.
8527, or 1.5 lbs. (extra light retention) blue colored Replacement Male No. 8529, for easier removal of
the prosthesis by the patient.
NOTE: The Replacement Male will not stay on the tool when it is turned upside down due to the
varying sizes of males available. It is best to hold the denture with the base side down and snap the
male into the metal denture cap.
D. HOW TO CHANGE THE LOCATOR MALE
1. The Locator Core Tool, (Zest order #8393) which contains a Locator Male Removal Tool and Locator
Male Seating Tool is used to remove the nylon male from the metal denture cap and replace it with a
Locator Replacement Male.
2. Use the Male Removal Tool attached to the Locator Core Tool to remove the nylon male from the metal
denture cap. The sharp circular edge on the end of the removal tool should be wedged tightly down into
the very bottom of the resilient nylon male so that it will catch the inside of the plastic insert and pull it
at an angle out of the metal housing. To discard the nylon male from the new tip on the Core Tool, point
the tool down and away from you and tighten the new Male Removal Tool clockwise back onto the
Core Tool. This will activate the removal pin and dislodge the nylon male from the tip end of the Male
Removal Tool.
3. The Male Seating Tool is used to firmly push a Locator Replacement Male into the empty metal denture
cap. The replacement male must seat securely into place, level with the rim of the cap. Use of multiple
Locator attachments (3 or more) in the same dental arch may require use of the 3.0 lbs. (light retention)
pink colored Replacement Male No. 8527, or 1.5 lbs. (extra light retention) blue colored Replacement
Male No. 8529, for easier removal of the prosthesis by the patient.
NOTE: The Replacement Male will not stay on the tool when it is turned upside down due to the
varying sizes of males available. It is best to hold the denture with the base side down and snap the
male into the metal denture cap.
Page of 8

E. RELINE AND REBASE
1. Remove each existing nylon male from its metal denture cap following the steps in HOW TO CHANGE
THE LOCATOR MALE (Section D). Replace them with Yellow Bar Processing Replacement Males
(Zest order #8026). The built-in spacer of the Yellow Processing Male will maintain the overdenture in
the same position on the bar as with the original processing, during the reline process.
2. Take a reline impression using the existing overdenture as a tray.
3. The Yellow Bar Processing Males will engage the Locator Bar Females and hold the prosthesis in place
while the impression material sets. When the impression is withdrawn, the Yellow Bar Processing
Replacement Males will remain in the metal denture caps.
4. Snap a Locator Female Analog (Zest order #8530) into each Yellow Bar Processing Male in the
impression and pour a master model.
5. After processing the reline and polishing the denture base, replace the Yellow Bar Processing Males with
the final resilient nylon Locator Replacement Males.
F. PATIENT CARE
Good oral hygiene is vital to implant bar success. The Locator Bar Females must be thoroughly cleaned
daily. The use of a soft nylon bristle or end-tufted toothbrush to clean the attachment, and superfloss to
keep the bar clean of plaque should be taught. A non-abrasive gel toothpaste, and an irrigation system is
recommended to keep the socket of the Locator Bar Female clean.
RETURN POLICY
Check with your Distributor for their policy on returns.
WARRANTY
Zest Anchors, Inc. provides a limited warranty for its products, to the original purchaser, to be free from
defects in workmanship and materials under normal use for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
Zest Anchors, Inc. will, at its option, substitute the returned product that proves to be defective with a
similar product, free of charge.
Zest Anchors, Inc. continually strives to improve its products, and therefore, reserves the right to improve,
modify or discontinue products and components at any time without notice or incurring obligation.
Purchaser assumes all risks and liability resulting from the use of Zest Anchors, Inc. products, whether used
separately or in combination with other products not of Zest Anchors, Inc. manufacture.
ZEST ANCHORS, INC.
2061 Wineridge Place / Escondido, CA 92029 USA
EU AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
VENTURA IMPLANT AND ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS
69 The Avenue, Ealing, London, W13 8JR, England
LOCATOR U.S. Patent No. 6,030,219 and 6,299,447.
LOCATOR is a registered trademark of Zest Anchors, Inc.
Illustrations by Ted Suggs
L8003-TM REV D
Page of 8